Raised Beds

Framing, board sizing, and soil volume for beds that last.

Cross-sections of three boards labeled cedar, ground-contact pressure-treated, and untreated pine

Best Wood for Raised Beds: Cedar vs. Treated vs. Pine

Which lumber to use for a raised garden bed, whether modern pressure-treated wood is safe for vegetables, and which materials to avoid.

September 28, 2026

Cutaway of a raised bed showing shallow lettuce roots and deeper tomato roots against a depth ruler

How Deep Should a Raised Bed Be? (Depth by Crop)

Minimum raised bed depth for greens, tomatoes and root crops, when you need more depth, and how much soil each depth takes for a 4×8 bed.

September 28, 2026

Exploded diagram of a 4 by 8 foot raised bed: two rows of 2x6 boards, four corner posts, and a stake at the middle of each long side

How to Build a 4×8 Raised Bed: Materials & Cut List

Step-by-step plan for a 4×8 ft raised garden bed from six 2×6 boards: exact materials, cut list, screw count and how to level and fill it.

September 28, 2026

Top view of two 4 by 8 foot raised beds with a path between them and arm-reach arrows to the center of each bed

What Size Should a Raised Bed Be? Width, Length & Paths

The best raised bed width, length and path spacing, why 4×8 ft is the standard, and how to size beds for your space and lumber.

September 28, 2026

Diagram of a raised garden bed labeled with length, width, and height

How Much Soil for a Raised Bed? (Formula + Size Chart)

The exact formula for raised bed soil volume, a quick chart for common bed sizes, and the topsoil/compost/aerator mix to use.

September 24, 2026

Related calculators

Raised Bed Soil

How much topsoil, compost, and aerator you need to fill a bed.

Raised Bed Lumber

Boards, corner brackets, and screws for a raised bed frame.

Landscape Edging

Edging pieces and stakes to border a garden bed.